Four girls were huddled together under the covers, finally daring to poke their heads out of the quilt when they heard me return. Fang Yanmeng said, "What on earth did you two see just now that caused such a ruckus? My heart is still pounding like mad."

I tried to recall the hand-shaped object I had just seen but couldn't make sense of it, so I could only say, "Probably just a bird, startled by the lightning and crashing into the glass. Anyway, the power is out, so we might as well all get some rest early. I'm heading out now; you girls lock the door securely."

Zhao Fang poked her head out urgently, "No, Brother Zhao, please don't go! We’re scared, especially of that bed near the window; we wouldn't dare sleep there."

Fang Yanmeng chimed in, "Zhao Qian, you sleep here. The four of us will squeeze onto that other bed. This dreadful weather is too unsettling. You should stay and protect us. If you feel lonely, Sister Zhao Fen doesn't need to come to our **; you can just hold her and sleep."

Zhao Fen blushed, "Mengmeng, stop talking nonsense! I have no intention of sleeping while being held by him."

Xiao Chuchu also said, "Yeah, Zhao Qian, we trust you, please don't leave. We can all fit if we squeeze together." Where had the Xiao Chuchu who wasn't afraid of ghosts and liked telling ghost stories gone? Even she was frightened now?

To be honest, going back to my own sick bay room to sleep alone was also a bit frightening. However, staying here to guard four beautiful women... I truly didn't know if I could resist the temptation. But resist I must; there were four of them! If I wasn't careful, they might gang up on me and cripple me.

Silence easily allowed the mind to drift back to the terrifying events of moments before. So, as soon as they lay down, Fang Yanmeng remarked, "Haven't you all noticed that the rain this year has been exceptionally frequent and heavy? Are some places facing severe flood control and rescue operations again?"

Xiao Chuchu replied, "That’s right. Most regions across the country have experienced continuous rainfall, leading to floods in many areas, with some places facing particularly severe inundation. This autumn has seen the most rainfall since our meteorological records began in our Great Dragon Country. Climate experts are studying this issue. Some attribute it to El Niño, influenced by anomalous oceanic monsoons, while others dismiss it as a normal climatic phenomenon. Still others, pointing to the highly selective regional distribution of the rainfall, suggest it might be a geophysical weapon deployed by the Star Nation against our Great Dragon Country."

Zhao Fang asked curiously, "Sister Chuchu, what exactly is a geophysical weapon?"

Fang Yanmeng added, "Yes, Sister Chuchu, that term you used is so novel. Even as a university student, I don't quite grasp it. Since the wind and rain outside are keeping us awake, why don't you give us a proper lesson?"

Xiao Chuchu said, "Alright, I’ll share only what I understand. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Theoretically, the term 'geophysical weapon' doesn't have a precise definition yet. Generally speaking, the target of such a weapon is our geosphere, which includes the lithosphere, hydrosphere, near-Earth atmosphere, ozone layer, ionosphere, magnetosphere, and the outer space surrounding the Earth. It inflicts fatal harm on humanity by altering the natural environment to cause disasters."

"Let me give you an example to illustrate. The ancient Romans scattered salt over the fertile lands of Carthage, completely destroying their agriculture and ultimately causing their downfall. The ancient Greeks used mirrors to focus sunlight to burn enemy ships—these could both be considered applications of geophysical weapons."

"Now, let's discuss the practical aspects. To cause a sudden surge in precipitation leading to floods, one could release various chemically active components and suspended particulates into the atmosphere, or achieve this goal through the influence of ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and heat flow. According to foreign media reports, the Star Nation has consistently led research in the field of 'weather and climate weapons.'"

"In fact, the Star Nation is also very advanced in the research of 'radio technology weapons.' Their three new 'HAARP' high-energy radio technology facilities located in Alaska, the Scandinavian Peninsula, and Greenland form a circuit, mutually influencing each other, exerting a tremendous impact on the Earth's ionosphere. Both weapons I mentioned fall under the category of geophysical weapons."

"Of course, this doesn't mean the rain here is caused by the Star Nation using geophysical weapons; after all, we currently have no evidence to prove that."

"Geophysical weapons, unlike other weapons that directly target armies, equipment, and facilities, have many negative side effects in their application. Under normal circumstances, these weapons affect both the attacking and defending sides equally."

"Research into localized, regional geophysical weapons remains a challenge in the current world. There is no data suggesting the Star Nation has made significant progress in this area. Our country's research into this is even more limited. Since you are all young, perhaps in the future you will make tremendous contributions to the country in this field."

Fang Yanmeng sighed upon hearing this, "Sister Chuchu, your words make me feel so sad. Are you old already? You just graduated from university. With all you know, can't you contribute to the nation?"

Xiao Chuchu replied, "My major is photojournalism; it has nothing to do with physics research."

Fang Yanmeng said, "I studied Business Administration and Financial Management; I know even less about physics and chemistry."

Xiao Chuchu concluded, "Then we must place our hopes on Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang."

Zhao Fen said, "Sister Chuchu, this is all new information to us. My sister and I never attended school, so I'm afraid we will disappoint you."

"Oh," Xiao Chuchu sighed.

I remembered Zhao Fen's learning ability when I taught her calligraphy last night. Although she had absolutely no formal educational foundation, given the opportunity and time, her future achievements would surely not fall behind that of a regular university student.

Since I liked her, and she had accepted my feelings, I absolutely had to create this opportunity for her to learn, to truly allow her potential to flourish.

"Fenfen, Fangfang, don't you worry. I will take you back to the city to go to school. Didn't Big Sister Xiao say this geophysical weapon is very powerful? In the future, you two should study this, and you must achieve something to show everyone that high-tech talent can still come from our remote mountain areas!"

Zhao Fang excitedly said, "Brother Zhao, you must keep your word! We won't disappoint you."

Zhao Fen said, "Brother Zhao, we appreciate your kindness, but how much money does schooling cost? Perhaps we should forget about it."

Fang Yanmeng interjected, "Exactly, Zhao Qian, how much do you earn in a month? And how much does it cost to support two university students? Moreover, you have parents and your own life expenses. Have you considered these issues? Honestly, you are blinded by love."

Fang Yanmeng hit upon my exact worry, and in a burst of annoyance, I snapped, "If we truly lack the money, I'll sell you! You must be worth a few hundred thousand at least."

Hmph, but Fang Yanmeng didn't know that I still possessed a magical snakeskin and a pile of snake pearls of unknown value. Once I return to the Capital, I'll find a buyer for these things; supplying the sisters' education will be more than enough. By then, I’ll show that girl surnamed Fang!

Fang Yanmeng didn't get angry, just chuckled, "Are you willing? My dear big brother."

Imagining Fang Yanmeng's expression—half-teasing, half-ethereal—in the darkness, an inexplicable ripple passed through my heart. If she truly belonged to me, if someone offered money to buy me, would I be willing to sell? Alas, I am such a spineless man.

"Zhao Qian, how old are you?" Xiao Chuchu suddenly asked.

"Twenty-three."

"What month is your birthday?"

"August."

"I'm also twenty-three, but my birthday is in October. You are clearly older than me, so why do you call me Big Sister? Do I really look that old?"

"..." Women are so petty. I only called her Big Sister Xiao because her voice carried a hint of world-weariness just now. I shouldn't argue with her over this detail.

Xiao Chuchu didn't press the issue. She suddenly sighed again, "Actually, our Great Dragon Country truly needs high-tech talent. The responsibility for the nation's survival rests on every citizen. For a country to be strong, it must rely on technology to drive its economic and military development. Only when the economy and military are powerful can we fear no provocation from any nation, allowing our country and people to stand tall among the nations of the world, and allowing us to proudly tell the world that we are descendants of the Dragon."

Having served five years in the army, I naturally understood the importance of high technology for military development. Truthfully, I am also a bit of a hothead, and I grit my teeth in hatred whenever I think of the harm inflicted upon our country by the 'Little Bird Nation' and the 'Ming Island,' along with those insignificant countries in Southeast Asia. I wish I could be the Chairman of the Central Military Commission and order a sweeping operation to clean them all up.

"Since Miss Xiao holds such views, why didn't you apply to a military academy to make your own contributions to the country and the army?" I asked Xiao Chuchu.

Xiao Chuchu sounded despondent, "My dad wouldn't let me. He said if a girl messes around with weapons and martial arts, she won't be able to get married in the future. But I know his real motive—he wants me to take over his position."

Fang Yanmeng empathized, "Do you think I have it any better? Since I was little, every step I took was arranged by my parents. If I want to do anything myself, they get incredibly anxious—either they fear I'll go astray, or they fear I'll waste time. I feel like my life has no hope; living is like being a walking corpse: eating, sleeping, school, home, and when life ends, looking back, I might have lived worse than a beggar on the street."

Xiao Chuchu stated, "I've made up my mind this time that I won't go back until I've had my fill of fun. Being stuck at the TV station dealing with those people is suffocating. That's why I didn't tell anyone when I left, and I didn't even bring my phone. My dad won't be able to find me."

Damn it! This woman claimed she was here to investigate supernatural photos—it was just an excuse! She simply wanted to go out and have fun!

Fang Yanmeng became even more excited, "I was actually thinking of calling my dad, but after you reminded me, I'll forget it. I'll call once I'm done having fun here and let them reflect on their behavior back home."

The two became more animated, chatting enthusiastically about everything from the cosmos to geography, trivial matters, national affairs, finance, and the military. Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang, along with me, couldn't interject much. Listening to them grew tiresome, and eventually, I drifted off to sleep without realizing when it happened.